Product registration apparatus, product registration method, and non-transitory storage medium

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided a product registration apparatus including an information acquisition unit that determines a placement position of a product having a placing table surface side to which product information is attached and acquires the product information attached to the product, and an output unit that outputs information indicating at least one of the placement position of the product from which the product information can be acquired and the placement position of the product from which the product information cannot be acquired.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/394,504 filed on Apr. 25, 2019 which is based on Japanese patentapplication No. 2018-086827, the contents of which is incorporatedhereinto by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The invention relates to a product registration apparatus, a productregistration method, and a program.

Related Art

Techniques for improving efficiency of registering work to register aproduct to be checked out in a register are being studied. Relatedtechniques are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2017-59208 and Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO2017/126253.The techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2017-59208 and Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO2017/126253relate to a technique of placing one or a plurality of products on atable, collectively recognizing the one or plurality of products, andregistering the one or plurality of products.

In the technique described in Japanese Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017-59208, an image of a product placed on a table is captured witha camera, a barcode extracted from an image is analyzed, the product isrecognized, and the recognized product is registered as an object to bechecked out.

In the technique described in Pamphlet of International Publication No.WO2017/126253, an image of a product placed on a table is captured witha camera, the product is recognized by pattern matching based on afeature value of an appearance of the product, and the recognizedproduct is registered as an object to be checked out. In the techniquedescribed in Pamphlet of International Publication No. WO2017/126253, apredetermined mark can be projected on a placement position of a productthat can be recognized, an image illustrating the number of productsthat can be recognized can be projected, or a predetermined mark can beprojected on an object that is detected as an object but cannot berecognized as a product.

SUMMARY

In the technique of collectively recognizing the products placed on thetable and registering the products as objects to be checked out, asituation in which some or all of the products placed on the tablecannot be recognized as objects to be checked out may occur. In the caseof the technique described in Japanese Patent Application PublicationNo. 2017-59208, it is not possible for an operator to recognizeexistence or the like of a product that cannot be recognized as anobject to be checked out.

In the case of the technique described in Pamphlet of InternationalPublication No. WO2017/126253 in which the product is recognized bypattern matching based on the feature value of the appearance of theproduct, a recognition error of the product may occur. For example, thesame type of products with the same content but different capacitiesexist, but the same type of products with different capacities may havealmost the same package design. In a case of recognizing a product bypattern matching based on the feature value of the appearance of theproduct, there is a possibility of erroneously recognizing products ofthe same type but having different capacities.

An object of the invention is to provide a product registrationapparatus, a product registration method, and a program capable ofreducing erroneous recognition of a product and outputting existence ofa product that cannot be recognized as an object to be checked out, in atechnique for recognizing the product placed on a table and registeringthe product as the object to be checked out.

In one example embodiment, there is provided a product registrationapparatus including an information acquisition unit that determines aplacement position of a product having a placing table surface side towhich product information is attached and acquires the productinformation attached to the product, and an output unit that outputsinformation indicating at least one of the placement position of theproduct from which the product information can be acquired and theplacement position of the product from which the product informationcannot be acquired.

In another example embodiment, there is provided a product registrationapparatus including an information acquisition unit that determines thenumber of products placed on a placing table and acquires productinformation attached to the product, and an output unit that, in a casewhere the number of products from which the product information can beacquired does not coincide with the number of products determined by theinformation acquisition unit, outputs information indicating that thenumbers of the products do not coincide with each other.

In still another example embodiment, there is provided a productregistration method executed by a computer, the method includingdetermining a placement position of a product having a placing tablesurface side to which product information is attached and acquiring theproduct information attached to the product, and outputting informationindicating at least one of the placement position of the product fromwhich the product information can be acquired and the placement positionof the product from which the product information cannot be acquired.

In still another example embodiment, there is provided a program causinga computer to function as an information acquisition unit thatdetermines a placement position of a product having a placing tablesurface side to which product information is attached and acquires theproduct information attached to the product, and an output unit thatoutputs information indicating at least one of the placement position ofthe product from which the product information can be acquired and theplacement position of the product from which the product informationcannot be acquired.

In still another example embodiment, there is provided a productregistration method executed by a computer, the method includingdetermining the number of products placed on a placing table andacquiring product information attached to the product, and in a casewhere the number of products from which the product information can beacquired does not coincide with the number of products determined in thestep of determining of the number of products, outputting informationindicating that the numbers of the products do not coincide with eachother.

In still another example embodiment, there is provided a program causinga computer to function as an information acquisition unit thatdetermines the number of products placed on a placing table and acquiresthe product information attached to the product, and an output unitthat, in a case where the number of products from which the productinformation can be acquired does not coincide with the number ofproducts determined by the information acquisition unit, outputsinformation indicating that the numbers of the products do not coincidewith each other.

According to the invention, it is possible to reduce erroneousrecognition of a product and it is possible for an operator to recognizeexistence of the product that cannot be recognized as an object to bechecked out, in a technique for recognizing the product placed on atable and registering the product as the object to be checked out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following description ofcertain preferred example embodiments taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional blockdiagram of a product registration apparatus 10 according to the presentexample embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configurationof the product registration apparatus 10 according to the presentexample embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a process ofthe product registration apparatus 10 according to the present exampleembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functional blockdiagram of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the hardwareconfiguration of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a product101 to which a code C is attached;

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of informationdisplayed on a placing table 100 by an output unit 12 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of alight-emitting apparatus according to the present example embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of informationacquired by an information acquisition unit 11 according to the presentexample embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example ofinformation output by the output unit 12 according to the presentexample embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of theprocess of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of theprocess of the product registration apparatus 10 according to theexample embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of theprocess of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functionalblock diagram of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example ofinformation displayed on the placing table 100 by the output unit 12according to the present example embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating another example ofinformation output by the output unit 12 according to the presentexample embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functionalblock diagram of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example ofinformation processed by the product registration apparatus 10 accordingto the present example embodiment;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the flow of theprocess of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment; and

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating another example of the functionalblock diagram of the product registration apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will be now described herein with reference toillustrative example embodiments. Those skilled in the art willrecognize that many alternative example embodiments can be accomplishedusing the teachings of the present invention and that the invention isnot limited to the example embodiments illustrated for explanatorypurposes.

First Embodiment

First, an outline of a product registration apparatus of this exampleembodiment will be described. In this example embodiment, productinformation including product identification information is attached toeach product. For example, a seal on which product information isprinted may be affixed to a product, or product information may beprinted on a product package or the like. The product to be checked outis placed on the placing table. The product registration apparatusacquires product information from each of one or a plurality of productsplaced on the placing table. Further, the product registration apparatusdetermines a placement position of one product or each of the pluralityof products placed on the placing table. Then, the product registrationapparatus outputs information indicating at least one of the placementposition of the product from which the product information can beacquired, and the placement position of the product from which theproduct information cannot be acquired.

As such, the product registration apparatus of this example embodiment,which can recognize the product to be checked out on the basis of theproduct information attached to each product, can reduce erroneousrecognition of the product. The product registration apparatus of thisexample embodiment, which can output information indicating at least oneof the placement position of the product from which the productinformation can be acquired and the placement position of the productfrom which the product information cannot be acquired, makes it possiblefor an operator to recognize existence of a product that cannot berecognized as an object to be checked out.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the product registration apparatus ofthis example embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 1 illustratesan example of a functional block diagram of a product registrationapparatus 10. As illustrated in the figure, the product registrationapparatus 10 includes an information acquisition unit 11 and an outputunit 12. The product registration apparatus 10 may be realized by aplurality of apparatuses physically and/or logically separated, or maybe realized by one apparatus physically and/or logically. The premise isthe same in all of the following example embodiments.

Each functional unit included in the product registration apparatus 10is realized by a central processing unit (CPU) of an arbitrary computer,a memory, a program to be loaded into the memory, a storage unit (inwhich programs downloaded from a storage medium such as a compact disc(CD) or a server on the Internet can also be stored, in addition to theprogram stored from the stage of shipping the apparatus in advance) suchas a hard disk storing the program, and any combination of hardware andsoftware centering on an interface for network connection. Those skilledin the art can understand that there are various modifications to therealization method and apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theproduct registration apparatus 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , theproduct registration apparatus 10 includes a processor 1A, a memory 2A,an input and output interface 3A, a peripheral circuit 4A, and a bus 5A.The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. The peripheralcircuit 4A may not be included. Note that, in the case where the productregistration apparatus 10 is realized by a plurality of apparatusesphysically and/or logically separated, each apparatus can have thehardware configuration.

The bus 5A is a data transmission path for the processor 1A, the memory2A, the peripheral circuit 4A, and the input and output interface 3A tomutually transmit and receive data. The processor 1A is an operationprocessing apparatus such as a CPU or a graphics processing unit (GPU),for example. The memory 2A is a memory such as a random access memory(RAM) or a read only memory (ROM), for example. The input and outputinterface 3A includes an interface for acquiring information from aninput apparatus, an external apparatus, an external server, an externalsensor or the like, and an interface for outputting information to anoutput apparatus, the external apparatus, the external server, and thelike. The input apparatus is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, amicrophone or the like. The output apparatus is, for example, a display,a speaker, a printer, a mailer, or the like. The processor 1A can issuean instruction to each module and perform an operation on the basis ofthe operation result.

Returning to FIG. 1 , a functional configuration of each functional unitwill be described. The information acquisition unit 11 determines theplacement position of a product having the placing table surface side towhich product information is attached and also acquires the productinformation attached to the product.

One or more products to be checked out are placed on the placing table.The “placing table surface” is the surface of the placing table on whichthe products are placed. The “product having the placing table surfaceside to which product information is attached” is a product whoseproduct information faces the table surface. The product to which theproduct information is attached is placed on the placing table so thatthe product information faces the placing table surface. A productplaced on the placing table according to the rule is a product havingthe placing table surface side to which product information is attached.Note that each product may be placed so that the product information isin contact with the placing table surface, or may be placed so that theproduct information is separated from the placing table surface.

The “product information” includes product identification information.The product identification information may be any information as long asit can identify a product, and examples are a product number, a productname, and the like. The product information may be attached to theproduct in a coded state such as a one-dimensional code, atwo-dimensional code, or the like. In addition, product informationrepresented by characters or the like not coded may be attached to theproduct. The product information is attached to an outer surface of theproduct. For example, a seal on which product information is printed maybe affixed to the outer surface of the product, or product informationmay be printed on a product package or the like.

The information acquisition unit 11 can determine the placement positionof one product or each of a plurality of products placed on the placingtable, for example, by analyzing an image generated by capturing animage of the product from the placing table surface side. Further, theinformation acquisition unit 11 can acquire the product informationattached to one product or each of the plurality of products byanalyzing the same image.

The output unit 12 outputs information indicating at least one of aplacement position on the placing table of the product from which theproduct information can be acquired and a placement position on theplacing table of the product from which the product information cannotbe acquired. The output unit 12 can output the information describedabove through any output apparatus such as a display, a projectionapparatus, a speaker, a mailer, and the like.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 , an example of a flowof a process of the product registration apparatus 10 of this exampleembodiment will be described.

In S10, the information acquisition unit 11 determines the placementposition of the product having the placing table surface side to whichthe product information is attached and acquires the product informationattached to the product. In S11, the output unit 12 outputs informationindicating at least one of the placement position on the placing tableof the product from which the product information can be acquired, andthe placement position on the placing table of the product from whichthe product information cannot be acquired.

As described above, the product registration apparatus 10 according tothis example embodiment can recognize the product to be checked out onthe basis of the product information attached to each product.Therefore, the product registration apparatus 10 of this exampleembodiment can reduce erroneous recognition of products. Further, theproduct registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment can outputinformation indicating at least one of the placement position on theplacement table of the product from which the product information can beacquired and the placement position on the placement table of theproduct from which the product information cannot be acquired.Therefore, the product registration apparatus 10 according to thisexample embodiment can cause the operator to recognize existence of aproduct that cannot be recognized as an object to be checked out.

Second Embodiment

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodimentperforms the same process as the product registration apparatus 10 ofthe first example embodiment, but the process content is more concrete.The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment will bedescribed below.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a functional block diagram of theproduct registration apparatus 10. As illustrated in the figure, theproduct registration apparatus 10 includes the information acquisitionunit 11, the output unit 12, the registration unit 13, and a paymentprocessing unit 16. The information acquisition unit 11 includes ameasurement unit 111, an image generation unit 112, an acquisition unit113, and a position determination unit 114. The output unit 12 includesan output content decision unit 121.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of theproduct registration apparatus 10. As illustrated in FIG. 5 , theproduct registration apparatus 10 includes the processor 1A, the memory2A, the input and output interface 3A, the peripheral circuit 4A, thebus 5A, an input apparatus 6A, an output apparatus 7A, and a measurementapparatus 8A. The peripheral circuit 4A includes various modules. Theperipheral circuit 4A may not be included.

The processor 1A, the memory 2A, the input and output interface 3A, theperipheral circuit 4A, the bus 5A, the input apparatus 6A, and theoutput apparatus 7A are as described in the first example embodiment.

The measurement apparatus 8A emits light and receives reflected light,and measures the time from light emission to light reception, lightreception intensity, and the like. An example of such a measurementapparatus 8A is exemplified by LIDAR which emits laser light andreceives reflected light. Data input from the measurement apparatus 8Ais stored in the memory 2A. By executing a predetermined program, theprocessor 1A can generate an image using the data input from themeasurement apparatus 8A and can analyze the image. The generated imageis an intensity image illustrating received light intensity, a distanceimage illustrating the distance to the object, or the like. Further, theprocessor 1 can control the output apparatus connected through the inputand output I/F 3A and output an operation result.

Returning to FIG. 4 , a functional configuration of each functional unitwill be described. The information acquisition unit 11 acquires theproduct information indicated by a code from the product having theplacing table surface side to which the code is attached. Acquisition ofthe product information and the like is realized by the measurement unit111, the image generation unit 112, the acquisition unit 113, and theposition determination unit 114 illustrated in FIG. 4 .

In this example embodiment, a code indicating product information isattached to each product. Although the code of this example embodimentis a two-dimensional code, the code may be a one-dimensional code or thelike.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a product 101 to which a code C isattached. In the illustrated example, the seal on which the code C isprinted is affixed to the product 101. The illustrated product 101 is arice ball, and the cord C is attached to the bottom surface thereof.Note that the position to which the code C is attached is not limited tothe bottom surface but may be other portions.

The product 101 to be checked out is displayed on a placing table 100 asillustrated in FIG. 7 . The product 101 is placed so that the cord Cfaces the placement surface of the placing table 100. The product 101placed on the placing table 100 according to the rule becomes theproduct 101 having the placing table surface side to which the code C isattached. The part to which the code C of the product 101 is attachedmay be in contact with the placing table surface or may be separatedfrom the placing table surface.

The measurement unit 111 emits light, for example, laser light towardsthe product 101 placed on the placing table surface, receives reflectedlight, and measures the time from light emission to light reception,light reception intensity, and the like. The measurement unit 111 is,for example, LIDAR.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the measurement unit 111 emits light from theside of the surface on the side opposite to the placing table surfaceand receives the reflected light, thereby measuring the time from lightemission to light reception, the light reception intensity, and thelike. The placing table 100 is configured to transmit light emitted fromat least one surface side. Specifically, the placing table 100 isconfigured to transmit light emitted from the side of the surface on theside opposite to the placing table surface. Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 7 , light emitted from the side of the surface on the side oppositeto the placing table surface is transmitted through the placing table100 and reaches the product 101 placed on the placing table surface.Note that the placing table 100 may be configured to transmit lightemitted from the placing table surface side, or may be configured toreflect the light.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8 , a light emitting apparatus inwhich the light sources L are two-dimensionally arranged may be disposedparallel to the placing table 100 and the light may be emitted from thelight emitting apparatus toward the placing table 100. In this way, itis possible to collect data in a desired measurement range withoutchanging an irradiation direction of light. In a case of collecting datain a predetermined range while changing the irradiation direction oflight, as the distance from the light source L increases, an intervalbetween measured point group increases and accuracy of the measurementdata deteriorates. With the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8 , theinterval between of the measured point group depends on the intervalbetween the light sources L and does not depend on the distance from thelight source L. As a result, highly accurate measurement data can becollected by sufficiently reducing the interval between the lightsources L. Note that, although accuracy of the measurement datadeteriorates, it is also possible to adopt a configuration that measureswhile changing the irradiation direction of light.

The image generation unit 112 generates an image on the basis ofmeasurement data generated by the measurement unit 111. The measurementdata indicates the time from light emission to light reception, receivedlight intensity, and the like. On the basis of such measurement data,the image generation unit 112 generates an intensity image indicatingintensity of received light, a distance image indicating a distance tothe object, and the like. The intensity image may be, for example, animage in which values of the received light intensity are normalized tovalues of a plurality of stages and illustrated in gray scale.

As described above, the placing table 100 is configured to transmitlight emitted from the side of the surface on the side opposite to theplacing table surface. Then, the product 101 is placed so that the cordC faces the placing table surface. Therefore, the generated imageincludes the surface to which the code C of each product 101 isattached. In the intensity image, a pattern of the code C isillustrated.

The acquisition unit 113 analyzes the generated image and acquires theproduct information of each product 101. The acquisition unit 113performs a process of detecting the product 101 in the image, a processof detecting the code C in the image, and a process of analyzing thepattern of the code C and acquiring the product information.

First, the acquisition unit 113 performs the process of detecting theproduct 101 in the image. The image to be analyzed in the process may bean intensity image or a distance image. For example, the acquisitionunit 113 performs contour extraction processing on the image or aprocess of extracting a contour that satisfies a shape condition or sizecondition from among the extracted contours, thereby detecting one or aplurality of products 101 included in the image.

After detecting the product 101 in the image, the acquisition unit 113performs a process of detecting the code C in the image and a process ofanalyzing the pattern of the code C and acquiring the productinformation. The image to be analyzed in the process is an intensityimage. For example, the acquisition unit 113 detects the code C from anarea in the image where the product 101 exists by using a patternmatching technique or the like. Thereafter, the acquisition unit 113analyzes the pattern of the detected code C and converts the patterninto information, thereby acquiring the product information of eachproduct 101 indicated by the code C.

The position determination unit 114 acquires position informationindicating the position of each product 101 detected by the acquisitionunit 113. The position information is a coordinate in a two-dimensionalcoordinate system with an arbitrary point in the image as the origin andarbitrary directions as the x-axis and the y-axis, and indicates theposition of each product 101. For example, the coordinates of therepresentative point in an area in the image where each product 101exists can be set as the position information of each product 101.

Through the process by the information acquisition unit 11, an imageanalysis result as illustrated in FIG. 9 is generated. In the imageanalysis result, the position information of one product 101 or each ofthe plurality of products 101 detected in the process of detecting theproduct 101 is associated with the product information acquired fromeach product 101. Note that, in the product 101 from which the productinformation cannot be acquired due to various reasons such as beingunable to detect the code C in the image, not being able to convert thepattern of the code C into information, or the like although the productwas detected as the product 101 in the image, only the positioninformation is registered and the product information is not registered.

The registration unit 13 registers the product 101 determined by productidentification information included in the product information acquiredby the information acquisition unit 11 as an object to be checked out.For example, the registration unit 13 acquires information associatedwith the product identification information from a product master thatstores a price, a product name, and the like of each product 101. Then,the registration unit 13 registers the acquired information ascheckout-related information. Hereinafter, the price, product name, andthe like of each product 101 registered in the product master arereferred to as product master information.

The output content decision unit 121 of the output unit 12 decides theoutput content. Then, the output unit 12 displays the informationdetermined by the output content decision unit 121 on the placing table100.

The output unit 12 can display predetermined information on the placingtable 100 by using a projection apparatus. In this case, the placingtable 100 has a semi-transmissive property that reflects light emittedfrom the placing table surface side and transmits light emitted from theside of the surface on the side opposite to the placing table surface.This configuration can be realized by using, for example, a techniquesuch as a display which transmits back light and reflects externallight. The projection apparatus emits light from the placing tablesurface side.

In FIG. 7 , an example of a state where the output unit 12 displayspredetermined information on the placing table 100 is illustrated. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 7 , the output unit 12 displays a markM1 at the placement position of the product 101 from which the productinformation was acquired, displays a mark M2 at the placement positionof the product 101 from which the product information cannot beacquired. Marks M1 and M2 have different display modes such as color,shape, shading and the like.

It should be noted that information to be displayed may be otherinformation such as a character, number, symbol, and the like. In theillustrated example, the output unit 12 displays information so as toinclude the placement position of the product 101, but the output unit12 may display information in the vicinity of the placement position.

The output unit 12 holds a conversion rule for converting the“coordinates of the image” into the “coordinates of a projection area ofthe projection apparatus” in advance. Then, the output unit 12 convertsthe coordinates of the product 101 in the image into the coordinates ofthe projection area of the projection apparatus on the basis of theconversion rule, and displays information, for example, so as tosurround the converted position or in proximity to the position.

The coordinates of the image are indicated in a coordinate system inwhich an arbitrary position in the image is set as the origin andarbitrary directions are set as the x-axis direction and the y-axisdirection. The coordinates of the projection area of the projectionapparatus are indicated by a coordinate system in which an arbitraryposition in the projection area is set as the origin and arbitrarydirections are set as the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.

The output unit 12 can display a list of the products 101 registered asobjects to be checked out on a display of the product registrationapparatus 10, for example, a display D illustrated in FIG. 7 . In FIG.10 , an example of the information is schematically illustrated. In theillustrated example, the output unit 12 displays a name and a quantityof the product 101 registered as the object to be checked out. Further,the output unit 12 displays an image of the product 101 determined bythe product information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11.The product registration apparatus 10 stores an image of each product101 in advance in association with each piece of the productidentification information. Then, the output unit 12 reads the imagecorresponding to the product identification information included in theproduct information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, andperforms image display illustrated in FIG. 10 . By displaying the imageof each product 101 in this way, the operator and the customer canintuitively recognize whether or not correct information is registered.Note that other information such as a sales price of each product 101may be displayed on the display of the product registration apparatus10.

When an input to start a payment process is received, the paymentprocessing unit 16 performs the payment process. For example, thepayment processing unit 16 can execute at least some of a process ofreceiving input of cash, a process of receiving input of a depositamount, a process of computing change, a process of outputting change, aprocess of outputting a receipt, a process of receiving input of creditcard information, a payment process in cooperation with a creditcompany's system, and a process of transmitting information for thepayment process, for example, information indicating the registeredproduct 101, total payment amount, and the like to another paymentapparatus.

Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 11 , an example of a flowof a process of the product registration apparatus 10 of this exampleembodiment will be described.

In S20, the information acquisition unit 11 determines the placementposition of the product 101 having the placing table surface side towhich the product information is attached, and also acquires the productinformation attached to the product 101.

Specifically, the information acquisition unit 11 performs the processillustrated in FIG. 12 . In S30, the measurement unit 111 emits light,for example, a laser toward the placing table 100 on which the product101 to be checked out is placed, receives reflected light, and measuresthe time from light emission to light reception, received lightintensity, and the like. In S31, the image generation unit 112 generatesan image on the basis of measurement data of S30. The image generationunit 112 generates an intensity image indicating intensity of receivedlight, a distance image indicating a distance to an object, and thelike.

In S32, the acquisition unit 113 analyzes the image generated in S31 anddetects the product 101 included in the image. In a case where aplurality of products 101 exist in the image, each of the plurality ofproducts 101 is detected. For example, one or a plurality of products101 included in the image are detected by performing contour extractionprocessing or a process of extracting contours satisfying the conditionsof the shape and the size from among the extracted contours. Thereafter,the position determination unit 114 acquires position informationindicating the placement position of the product 101 detected by theacquisition unit 113. The position information is the coordinates in atwo-dimensional coordinate system with an arbitrary point in the imageas the origin and arbitrary directions as the x-axis and the y-axis, andindicates the position of each product 101. For example, the coordinatesof the representative point in the area in the image where each product101 is present can be the position information of each product 101.

In S33, the acquisition unit 113 analyzes the image generated in S31 anddetects the code C in the image. For example, the acquisition unit 113detects the code C from the area in the image where the product 101exists by using a pattern matching technique or the like. Thereafter,the acquisition unit 113 analyzes the pattern of the detected code C andconverts the pattern into information, thereby acquiring the productinformation of each product 101 indicated by the code C. When aplurality of codes C exist in the image, the acquisition unit 113detects a plurality of codes, analyzes each of the plurality of codes,and converts each code into product information.

Through the process of S30 to S33, the image analysis result asillustrated in FIG. 9 is generated. In the image analysis result, theposition information of one product 101 or each of the plurality ofproducts 101 detected in S32 and the product information acquired fromeach product 101 in S33 are associated with each other. Note that, inthe product 101 from which the product information cannot be acquireddue to various reasons such as being unable to detect the code C in theimage, not being able to convert the pattern of the code C intoinformation, or the like although the product was detected as theproduct 101 in the image, only the position information is registeredand the product information is not registered.

Returning to FIG. 11 , in S21, a process according to the process resultof S20 is executed. First, the registration unit 13 acquires productmaster information associated with the product identificationinformation acquired in S20 from the product master and registers theproduct master information as the object to be checked out. The outputunit 12 displays information indicating at least one of the placementposition of the product 101 from which the product information can beacquired and the placement position of the product 101 from which theproduct information cannot be acquired on the placing table 100.Furthermore, the output unit 12 can display a list of the products 101registered as the objects to be checked out on the display.

After S21, when the payment processing unit 16 does not receive an inputto start the payment process (No in S22), the information acquisitionunit 11 executes S20 with the newly generated image as a processingtarget. Note that the information acquisition unit 11 can discriminatebetween the product 101 newly placed on the placing table 100 and theproduct 101 that is placed on the placing table 100 on the basis of, forexample, a time-series change of the image. Then, when it is detectedthat the new product 101 is placed on the placing table 100, theregistration unit 13 newly registers the product 101 as an object to bechecked out in S21.

When the payment processing unit 16 receives an input to start thepayment process (Yes in S22), the payment processing unit 16 performsthe payment process. For example, the payment processing unit 16 mayreceive input of cash or a deposit amount, compute change, and outputthe change. Otherwise, the payment processing unit 16 may receive inputof credit card information and perform a settlement process incooperation with a credit company's system. Otherwise, the paymentprocessing unit 16 may transmit information for payment process, forexample, information indicating the registered product 101 and the totalpayment amount to another payment apparatus.

Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 13 , an example of a flow ofa process in which the output content decision unit 121 determinesoutput content will be described. Note that the process is only anexample and is not limited thereto.

The output content decision unit 121 specifies one of the products 101whose position is detected in S32 (S40). For example, in the imageanalysis result illustrated in FIG. 9 , the output content decision unit121 specifies one serial number in which the position information isregistered. Then, in a case where the product information of thespecified product 101 can be acquired (Yes in S41), that is, in a casewhere the product information is registered in association with theserial number specified in the image analysis result illustrated in FIG.9 , the output content decision unit 121 decides to display the mark M1at the placement position of the product 101 (S43).

On the other hand, in a case where the product information of thespecified product 101 cannot be acquired (No in S41), that is, in a casewhere the product information is not registered in association with theserial number specified in the image analysis result illustrated in FIG.9 , the output content decision unit 121 decides to display the mark M2at the placement position of the product 101 (S42).

The marks M1 and M2 have different display modes such as color, shape,shading and the like, and are discriminable from each other.

In S44, it is confirmed whether or not the product 101 which is notspecified in S40 exists among the products 101 whose position isdetected in S32. In a case where the product 101 which is not specifiedin S40 exists (Yes in S44), the process returns to S40 and the processis repeated. In a case where the product 101 which is not specified inS40 does not exist (No in S44), the process is ended.

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodimentdescribed as above can realize the same advantageous effects as those ofthe first example embodiment.

In addition, the operator who performs the registration work only has toplace the product 101 to be checked out on the placing table 100 so thatthe product information faces the placing table surface, and can avoidtroublesome work such as reading a bar code individually with a codereader. As a result, the registration work becomes more efficient.

Since the product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodimentacquires product information by image analysis, it is possible tocollectively process a plurality of products 101 included in the image.Therefore, work efficiency is improved.

Further, the product registration apparatus 10 of this exampleembodiment acquires product information from the product 101 having theplacing table surface side to which the product information is attached.Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7 , the measurement apparatus 8Aemits light from the side of the surface on the side opposite to theplacing table surface towards the product 101 having the placing tablesurface side to which the product information is attached and reflectsthe reflected light, thereby measuring the time from light emission tolight reception, received light intensity, and the like.

In a case where the product is placed so that the product informationfaces the placing table surface, the position of the product informationof each of the plurality of products 101 gathers in the vicinity of theplacing table surface without being affected by variations in the heightof the product 101 or the like. In a case where the plurality ofproducts 101 are placed so that the product information is in contactwith the table surface, the position of the product information of eachof the plurality of products 101 fall within a narrower range.

In such a case, the distance between the measurement apparatus 8A andthe product information on each product 101 is within a certain smallrange without being affected by variations in the height of the product101 or the like. As a result, it becomes easy to collectively read thecodes attached to the plurality of products 101.

Third Embodiment

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment isdifferent from the first and second example embodiments in that theproduct registration apparatus 10 has a function of determining a salestime limit of each product 101 on the basis of the product informationacquired from each product 101 to be checked out and notifying in a casewhere the sales time limit has passed, in addition to the configurationof the product registration apparatus 10 of the first and second exampleembodiments. Hereinafter, description will be made.

The hardware configuration of the product registration apparatus 10 isthe same as that of the first and second example embodiments.

In FIG. 14 , an example of a functional block diagram of the productregistration apparatus 10 is illustrated. As illustrated in the figure,the product registration apparatus 10 includes the informationacquisition unit 11, the output unit 12, the registration unit 13, atime limit judgment unit 14, and the payment process unit 16. Theinformation acquisition unit 11 includes the measurement unit 111, theimage generation unit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the positiondetermination unit 114, and sales time limit determination unit 115. Theoutput unit 12 has the output content decision unit 121.

The configurations of the measurement unit 111, the image generationunit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the position determination unit 114,the registration unit 13 and the payment processing unit 16 are asdescribed in the example embodiments.

The sales time limit determination unit 115 determines the sales timelimit of each product 101 on the basis of the product information. Theproduct information of this example embodiment includes information fordetermining a best-before date and a consumption expiration date. Forexample, the product information may include the best-before date or theconsumption expiration date itself. In addition, the product informationmay include a lot number and serial number of each product 101. In thiscase, the sales time limit determination unit 115 can acquire thebest-before date and the consumption expiration date corresponding tothe acquired lot number or serial number from a management servermanaging the best-before date and the consumption expiration date ofeach product 101 for each lot number and serial number.

The sales time limit determination unit 115 determines the sales timelimit of each product 101 on the basis of the best-before date and theconsumption expiration date of each product 101 determined by the unitas described above. The sales time limit may be the best-before date andthe consumption expiration date, or may be a time earlier by apredetermined time period T than the best-before date and theconsumption expiration date.

It should be noted that the predetermined time T may be determined foreach product 101. For example, the predetermined time T may bedetermined in such a way that “a sales time limit of a product A may bea time earlier by three hours than the best-before date or theconsumption expiration date”, and “a sales time limit of a product B maybe a time earlier by five hours than the best-before date or theconsumption expiration date” or the like. In this case, registrationinformation, in which the predetermined time T is registered for eachproduct 101, is generated in advance and is registered in the productregistration apparatus 10 or the external apparatus which is configuredto be communicable with the product registration apparatus 10. Then, thesales time limit determination unit 115 can acquire the predeterminedtime T of each product 101 from the registration information, and candetermine the sales time limit of each product 101 on the basis of theinformation.

The time limit judgment unit 14 judges whether or not the sales timelimit of each product 101 has passed. The time limit judgment unit 14compares the current date and time with the sales time limit of eachproduct 101 determined by the sales time limit determination unit 115,thereby judging whether or not the sales time limit of each product 101has passed.

The output unit 12 makes notification of the product 101 whose salestime limit has passed. For example, the output content decision unit 121may decide to display a mark M3 at the placement position of the product101 whose sales time limit has passed. The marks M1 to M3 have differentdisplay modes such as color, shape, shading and the like, and aredistinguishable from each other. Note that information to be displayedmay be other information such as characters, numbers, symbols, and thelike.

In FIG. 15 , an example in which the mark M3 is displayed on the placingtable 100 is illustrated. In the example illustrated in FIG. 15 , theoutput unit 12 displays the mark M1 at the placement position of theproduct 101 of which the sales time limit has not passed among theproducts 101 from which the product information can be acquired. Then,the output unit 12 displays the mark M3 at the placement position of theproduct 101 whose sales time limit has passed among the products 101from which the product information can be acquired.

Further, the output unit 12 may use the display of the productregistration apparatus 10, for example, the display D illustrated inFIG. 15 , to make notification of the product 101 whose sales time limithas passed. In FIG. 16 , an example of information displayed on thedisplay D of the product registration apparatus 10 by the output unit 12is schematically illustrated. In the illustrated example, the name, thequantity, and the product image of the product 101 registered as theobject to be checked out are displayed. In the field of “judgment”, aresult of judgment as to whether or not the sales time limit of eachproduct 101 has passed is indicated. In the example illustrated in thefigure, it is understood that the sales time limit of a ramen A haspassed and the sales time limit of the other products 101 has notpassed.

Other configurations of the information acquisition unit 11 and theoutput unit 12 are the same as those described in the exampleembodiments described above.

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment canrealize the same advantageous effects as those of the first and secondexample embodiments. Further, at the stage of checkout, the productregistration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment can check whetherthe sales time limit of the product 101 to be checked out has notpassed. As a result, it is possible to avoid inconveniences of sellingthe product 101 whose sales time limit has passed.

Fourth Embodiment

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment isdifferent from the first to third example embodiments in that theproduct registration apparatus 10 determines a shape of the product 101placed on the placing table 100 and outputs information indicatingwhether or not the determined shape matches the product informationacquired by the information acquisition unit 11. Hereinafter,description will be made.

The hardware configuration of the product registration apparatus 10 isthe same as that of the first to third example embodiments.

In FIG. 17 , an example of a functional block diagram of the productregistration apparatus 10 is illustrated. As illustrated in the figure,the product registration apparatus 10 includes the informationacquisition unit 11, the output unit 12, the registration unit 13, ashape judgment unit 15, and the payment processing unit 16. Theinformation acquisition unit 11 includes the measurement unit 111, theimage generation unit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the positiondetermination unit 114, and shape determination unit 116. The outputunit 12 has the output content decision unit 121.

Note that the product registration apparatus 10 may further include atime limit judgment unit 14. The information acquisition unit 11 mayfurther include a sales time limit determination unit 115.

The configurations of the measurement unit 111, the image generationunit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the position determination unit 114,the sales time limit determination unit 115, the registration unit 13,the time limit judgment unit 14, and the payment processing unit 16 areas described in the example embodiments described above.

The shape determination unit 116 analyzes the image generated by theimage generation unit 112 and determines the shape of the product 101included in the image. For example, the shape determination unit 116 maydetermine a shape of a surface of the product 101 facing the placingtable surface.

The shape judgment unit 15 holds product shape information indicatingthe shape of each product 101 as illustrated in FIG. 18 in advance. Inthe product shape information, for example, the shape of the surface towhich the product information of each product 101 is attached may beindicated. When the acquisition unit 113 acquires the productinformation from each product 101, the shape judgment unit 15 extractsthe shape registered in association with the product identificationinformation included in the product information from the product shapeinformation. Next, the shape judgment unit 15 determines whether or notthe shape extracted from the product shape information matches the shapeof the product 101 determined by the shape determination unit 116.

The term of “match” may include completely matching and slightlydifferent. For example, in a case where the shape of the product 101indicated by the product shape information is a “rectangle having anaspect ratio of 5:2”, it may be judged that the shapes match with eachother in a case where the shape of the product 101 determined by theshape determination unit 116 is a rectangle having an aspect ratio ofA:B (note that, 5−α≤A≤5+α, 2−β≤B≤2+β).

The output unit 12 outputs the judgment result obtained by the shapejudgment unit 15. That is, the output unit 12 outputs informationindicating whether or not the shape of the product 101 determined by theshape determination unit 116 matches the shape of the product 101determined on the basis of the product information acquired from eachproduct 101.

Other configurations of the information acquisition unit 11 and theoutput unit 12 are the same as those described in the exampleembodiments described above.

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment canrealize the same advantageous effects as those of the first to thirdexample embodiments. Further, the product registration apparatus 10 ofthis example embodiment can detect mismatching between productinformation attached to each product 101 and each product 101. As aresult, it is possible to detect a case where an erroneous code C isattached to the product 101. It is also possible to check whether or notappropriate product information corresponding to each product 101 isacquired from each product 101.

Fifth Embodiment

First, an outline of the product registration apparatus 10 of thisexample embodiment will be described. The product registration apparatus10 of this example embodiment acquires product information from oneproduct 101 or each of a plurality of products 101 placed on the placingtable 100. The product registration apparatus 10 determines the numberof products 101 placed on the placing table 100. In a case where thenumber of the products 101 placed on the placing table 100 does notcoincide with the number of the products 101 from which the productinformation can be acquired, the product registration apparatus 10outputs information indicating that the numbers of the products 101 donot coincide with each other.

As described above, the product registration apparatus 10 of thisexample embodiment, which can recognize the product 101 to be checkedout on the basis of the product information attached to each product101, can reduce erroneous recognition of the product 101. The productregistration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment that can outputinformation indicating that the number of products 101 placed on theplacing table 100 does not coincide with the number of products 101 fromwhich product information can be acquired can cause the operator torecognize existence of the product 101 that cannot be recognized as theobject to be checked out.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the product registration apparatus 10of this example embodiment will be described in detail. A hardwareconfiguration of the product registration apparatus 10 is the same asthat of the first example embodiment.

In FIG. 1 , an example of a functional block diagram of the productregistration apparatus 10 is illustrated. As illustrated in the figure,the product registration apparatus 10 includes the informationacquisition unit 11 and the output unit 12.

The information acquisition unit 11 determines the number of products101 placed on the placing table 100 and acquires the product informationattached to the product 101. The information acquisition unit 11 candetermine the number of products 101 placed on the placing table 100,for example, by analyzing an image generated by capturing an image ofthe product 101. In addition, the information acquisition unit 11 canacquire the product information attached to each product 101 byanalyzing the same image.

In a case where the number of products 101 from which productinformation can be acquired does not coincide with the number ofproducts 101 determined by the information acquisition unit 11, theoutput unit 12 outputs information indicating that the numbers of theproducts 101 do not coincide with each other. The output unit 12 canoutput the information through any output apparatus such as a display, aprojection apparatus, a speaker, a mailer, or the like. Note that thedetermination as to whether or not the number of products 101 from whichthe product information can be acquired coincides with the number ofproducts 101 determined by the information acquisition unit 11 may beperformed by the product registration apparatus 10 or may be performedby an external apparatus configured to be able to communicate with theproduct registration apparatus 10.

Next, an example of a flow of a process of the product registrationapparatus 10 of this example embodiment will be described with referenceto a flowchart of FIG. 19 .

In S50, the information acquisition unit 11 determines the number ofproducts 101 placed on the placing table 100 and acquires the productinformation attached to the product 101. In S51, in a case where thenumber of products 101 from which product information can be acquireddoes not coincide with the number of products 101 determined by theinformation acquisition unit 11, the output unit 12 outputs informationindicating that the numbers of the products 101 do not coincide witheach other.

As described above, the product registration apparatus 10 of thisexample embodiment can recognize the product 101 to be checked out onthe basis of the product information attached to each product 101. Sucha product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment canreduce erroneous recognition of the product 101. In a case where thenumber of products 101 from which product information can be acquireddoes not coincide with the number of products 101 determined by theinformation acquisition unit 11, for example, by image analysis, theproduct registration apparatus 10 of this example embodiment can outputinformation indicating that the numbers of the products 101 do notcoincide with each other. Such a product registration apparatus 10 ofthis example embodiment can cause the operator to recognize existence ofthe product 101 that cannot be recognized as the object to be checkedout.

Sixth Embodiment

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodimentperforms the same process as the product registration apparatus 10 ofthe fifth example embodiment, but the process content are made morespecific.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the product registration apparatus 10 ofthis example embodiment will be described in detail. The hardwareconfiguration of the product registration apparatus 10 is the same asthat of the second example embodiment.

In FIG. 20 , an example of a functional block diagram of the productregistration apparatus 10 is illustrated. As illustrated in the figure,the product registration apparatus 10 includes the informationacquisition unit 11, the output unit 12, the registration unit 13, thepayment processing unit 16, and a number judgment unit 17. Theinformation acquisition unit 11 includes the measurement unit 111, theimage generation unit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the positiondetermination unit 114, and number determination unit 117. The outputunit 12 can include the output content decision unit 121.

It should be noted that the information acquisition unit 11 may includeat least one of the sales time limit determination unit 115 and theshape determination unit 116. The product registration apparatus 10 mayinclude at least one of the time limit judgment unit 14 and the shapejudgment unit 15. Further, the output unit 12 may have at least thefunctions described in the fifth example embodiment, and further havethe functions described in the first to fourth example embodiments.

The configurations of the measurement unit 111, the image generationunit 112, the acquisition unit 113, the position determination unit 114,the sales time limit determination unit 115, the shape determinationunit 116, the output content decision unit 121, the registration unit13, the time limit judgment unit 14, the shape judgment unit 15, and thepayment processing unit 16 are as described in the example embodimentsdescribed above.

The number determination unit 117 determines the number of products 101placed on the placing table 100. As described in the second exampleembodiment, according to the measurement unit 111, the image generationunit 112, the acquisition unit 113 and the position determination unit114, an image analysis result as illustrated in FIG. 9 is generated. Thenumber determination unit 117 can determines the number of pieces ofposition information included in the image analysis result as the numberof products 101 placed on the placing table 100.

The number judgment unit 17 judges whether or not the number of theproduct 101 from which the product information can be acquired coincideswith the number of the product 101 determined by the numberdetermination unit 117. The number judgment unit 17 can determine thenumber of pieces of product information included in the image analysisresult as illustrated in FIG. 9 as the number of products 101 from whichproduct information can be acquired. Then, the number judgment unit 17can judge whether or not the numbers of the products 101 coincide witheach other, by comparing the number of products 101 from which theproduct information can be acquired with the number of products 101determined by the number determination unit 117.

The product registration apparatus 10 of this example embodimentdescribed as above can achieve the same advantageous effects as those ofthe first to fifth example embodiments.

Here, modification examples applicable to the first to sixth exampleembodiments will be described. The product registration apparatus 10includes a camera in place of the measurement apparatus 8A describedabove. Then, an image including the product 101 placed on the placingtable 100 is generated by the camera, and acquisition of productinformation is realized by analyzing the image. The camera may capturean image of the product 101 from either direction. The product 101 isplaced so that the product information faces the camera. Also, in themodification example, the same advantageous effects as those of thefirst to sixth example embodiments can be realized.

An example of a reference form will be added below.

1. A product registration apparatus including:

-   -   an information acquisition unit that determines a placement        position of a product having a placing table surface side to        which product information is attached and acquires the product        information attached to the product; and    -   an output unit that outputs information indicating at least one        of the placement position of the product from which the product        information can be acquired and the placement position of the        product from which the product information cannot be acquired.

2. A product registration apparatus including:

-   -   an information acquisition unit that determines the number of        products placed on a placing table and acquires product        information attached to the product; and    -   an output unit that, in a case where the number of products from        which the product information can be acquired does not coincide        with the number of products determined by the information        acquisition unit, outputs information indicating that the        numbers of the products do not coincide with each other.

3. The product registration apparatus according to 1 or 2,

-   -   in which the information acquisition unit includes        -   a measurement unit that emits laser light towards the            product and receives reflected light of the laser,        -   an image generation unit that generates an image on the            basis of measurement data generated by the measurement unit,            and        -   an acquisition unit that acquires the product information on            the basis of the image.

4. The product registration apparatus according to any one of 1 to 3,

-   -   in which the information acquisition unit includes a position        determination unit that determines the placement position of the        product placed on the placing table, and    -   the output unit displays information indicating at least one of        the placement position of the product from which the product        information can be acquired and the placement position of the        product from which the product information cannot be acquired,        on the placing table.

5. The product registration apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4,

-   -   in which the information acquisition unit includes a sales time        limit determination unit that determines a sales time limit of        the product on the basis of the product information,    -   the product registration apparatus further includes a time limit        judgment unit that judges whether or not the sales time limit        has passed, and    -   the output unit makes notification of the product of which the        sales time limit has passed.

6. The product registration apparatus according to any one of 1 to 5,

-   -   in which the information acquisition unit includes a shape        determination unit that determines a shape of the product,    -   the product registration apparatus further includes a shape        judgment unit that judges whether or not the determined shape        matches the acquired product information, and    -   the output unit outputs information indicating a determination        result of the shape judgment unit.

7. The product registration apparatus according to any one of 1 to 6,

-   -   in which the output unit displays an image of the product        determined by the product information acquired by the        information acquisition unit.

8. A product registration method executed by a computer, the methodincluding:

-   -   determining a placement position of a product having a placing        table surface side to which product information is attached and        acquiring the product information attached to the product; and    -   outputting information indicating at least one of the placement        position of the product from which the product information can        be acquired and the placement position of the product from which        the product information cannot be acquired.

9. A program causing a computer to function as:

-   -   an information acquisition unit that determines a placement        position of a product having a placing table surface side to        which product information is attached and acquires the product        information attached to the product; and    -   an output unit that outputs information indicating at least one        of the placement position of the product from which the product        information can be acquired and the placement position of the        product from which the product information cannot be acquired.

10. A product registration method executed by a computer, the methodincluding:

-   -   determining the number of products placed on a placing table and        acquiring product information attached to the product; and    -   in a case where the number of products from which the product        information can be acquired does not coincide with the number of        products determined in the step of determining of the number of        products, outputting information indicating that the numbers of        the products do not coincide with each other.

11. A program causing a computer to function as:

-   -   an information acquisition unit that determines the number of        products placed on a placing table and acquires the product        information attached to the product; and    -   an output unit that, in a case where the number of products from        which the product information can be acquired does not coincide        with the number of products determined by the information        acquisition unit, outputs information indicating that the        numbers of the products do not coincide with each other.

It is apparent that the present invention is not limited to the aboveembodiment, and may be modified and changed without departing from thescope and spirit of the invention.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1A: processor    -   2A: memory    -   3A: input and output I/F    -   4A: peripheral circuit    -   5A: bus    -   6A: input apparatus    -   7A: output apparatus    -   8A: measurement apparatus    -   10: product registration apparatus    -   11: information acquisition unit    -   111: measurement unit    -   112: image generation unit    -   113: acquisition unit    -   114: position determination unit    -   115: sales time limit determination unit    -   116: shape determination unit    -   117: number determination unit    -   12: output unit    -   121: output content decision unit    -   13: registration unit    -   14: time limit judgment unit    -   15: shape judgment unit    -   16: payment processing unit    -   17: number judgment unit    -   100: placing table    -   101: product    -   C: code    -   L: light source    -   M1: mark    -   M2: mark    -   M3: mark

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatus comprising:at least one memory configured to store one or more instructions; and atleast one processor configured to execute the one or more instructionsto: determine the number of products placed on a placing table; acquireproduct information of a product; and output information based on thenumber of products from which the product information can be acquiredand the determined number of products.
 2. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor further configuredto execute the one or more instructions to: output information based ona result of comparison of the number of products from which the productinformation can be acquired and the determined number of products. 3.The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:in a case where the number of products from which the productinformation can be acquired does not coincide with the determined numberof products, output information indicating that the numbers of theproducts do not coincide with each other.
 4. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor further configuredto execute the one or more instructions to determine the number ofproducts placed on a placing table and acquire the product informationof a product based on an image of the product placed on the placingtable.
 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the product information is attached to the product.
 6. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theprocessor further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:determine whether or not sales time limit of each product has passed;and make notification of the product whose sales time limit has passed.7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe processor further configured to execute the one or more instructionsto: determine a shape of the product; and determine whether or not ashape shown by the product information matches the determined shape ofthe product.
 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim1, wherein the processor further configured to execute the one or moreinstructions to display an image of the product determined by theproduct information.
 9. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the placing table is configured to transmit light,wherein the processor further configured to execute the one or moreinstructions to: emit light towards the product placed on the placingtable through the placing table, and receive reflected light; generatean image on the basis of measurement data of the reflected light; andacquire the product information based on the generated image.
 10. Aproduct registration method executed by a computer, the methodcomprising: determining the number of products placed on a placingtable; acquiring product information of a product; and outputtinginformation based on the number of products from which the productinformation can be acquired and the determined number of products. 11.The product registration method according to claim 10, wherein thecomputer outputs information based on a result of comparison of thenumber of products from which the product information can be acquiredand the determined number of products.
 12. The product registrationmethod according to claim 10, wherein the computer, in a case where thenumber of products from which the product information can be acquireddoes not coincide with the determined number of products, outputsinformation indicating that the numbers of the products do not coincidewith each other.
 13. The product registration method according to claim10, wherein the computer determines the number of products placed on aplacing table and acquires the product information of a product based onan image of the product placed on the placing table.
 14. The productregistration method according to claim 10, wherein the productinformation is attached to the product.
 15. An information processingapparatus comprising: at least one memory configured to store one ormore instructions; and at least one processor configured to execute theone or more instructions to: determine a placement position of aproduct; acquire product information of the product; and outputinformation indicating at least one of the placement position of theproduct from which the product information can be acquired and theplacement position of the product from which the product informationcannot be acquired.
 16. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 15, wherein the product information is attached to the product,facing to a placing table surface.
 17. The information processingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein the processor furtherconfigured to execute the one or more instructions to: determine whetheror not sales time limit of each product has passed; and makenotification of the product whose sales time limit has passed.
 18. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein theprocessor further configured to execute the one or more instructions to:determine a shape of the product; and determine whether or not a shapeshown by the product information matches the determined shape of theproduct.
 19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 15,wherein the processor further configured to execute the one or moreinstructions to display an image of the product determined by theproduct information.
 20. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 15, wherein the product is placed on a placing table, whereinthe placing table is configured to transmit light, wherein the processorfurther configured to execute the one or more instructions to: emitlight towards the product placed on the placing table through theplacing table, and receive reflected light; generate an image on thebasis of measurement data of the reflected light; and acquire theproduct information based on the generated image.